Ski binding

ABSTRACT

Ski binding ( 1; 1′; 1″ ), in particular touring, telemark or cross-country binding, with a front retaining element associated with the front sole end ( 7   a ) of a ski boot ( 5 ), a back retaining element ( 21 ) so constructed that it engages an edge ( 7   b ) at the front part of the boot sole or at the heel of the boot, and a tensioning device ( 17; 25; 47; 17′; 17 ″) that connects the front and back retaining elements to one another, and that allows the front and back retaining elements to be locked to the ski boot and, in particular in the locked state, allows the heel of the boot to be raised away from the ski, wherein the front retaining element grips the sole of the ski boot on both sides near the tip of the boot, in particular with lateral resilience, and with the front retaining element there is associated an elastic pressing element ( 13 ) to press the upper side of the sole against the retaining element.

[0001] The invention relates to a ski binding according to theprecharacterizing clause of claim 1.

[0002] Bindings for touring, telemark or cross-country skiing differfrom downhill bindings in a crucial functional feature, namely thatwhereas in both cases the front end of the boot sole is fixed to theski, in the former bindings the back end of the sole (the heel) shouldnot be fixed to the ski, but must be attached in such a way that it canbe raised from the ski surface. This elementary requirement,necessitated by the movement sequences that occur during cross-countryor touring skiing or while travelling downhill in telemark style, has inthe past usually been achieved by binding constructions that involvesome impairment of the guidance function of the binding.

[0003] For years, however, even cross-country, touring and telemarkbindings have been known, and put into practical use, in which thebinding and an appropriately constructed ski boot are provided withcorresponding sections that engage one another and thus achieve a goodlateral guidance, at least when the boot is resting on the ski binding.

[0004] The patent DE 34 12 073 C2 discloses a cross-country safety skibinding in which a flexible plate attached to the ski with a rotarybearing in a posterior position guides the ski boot laterally relativelywell even when the boot is raised up from the ski and, furthermore, inprinciple permits the retaining mechanism to be disengaged when the skiboot is placed under torsional load. For the sliding phase, in which theboot is set onto the ski, additional stabilising elements are provided.

[0005] The patent EP 0 806 977 B1 discloses a ski binding according tothe precharacterizing clause of claim 1. In an advantageous embodimentthis ski binding comprises a tensioning element that engages theunderside of the front part of the boot sole and that in particular isconstructed as a flexurally elastic part in the form of a band or leafspring.

[0006] This ski binding offers good guidance and force-transmissionproperties, but even here there is a need for improvement, in particularwith respect to its safety properties and to simple operation withlittle expenditure of force.

[0007] In the applicant's unpublished German patent application 100 31775.8 a ski binding of this generic kind that has been improved in theserespects is described in a number of different embodiments. This bindingreleases the ski boot not only when manually actuated (to step off theski) but also when unacceptably high torsional force is applied to skior boot. Furthermore, it provides safety and utility properties thatrepresent considerable advances in comparison to the known ski bindings.

[0008] The present invention thus has as its objective to develop such ageneric ski binding still further, with the goal of creating an easilyoperated safety ski binding for cross-country or touring use as well asfor downhill skiing in telemark style.

[0009] This objective is achieved with respect to a first aspect of theinvention by a ski binding with the characteristics given in claim 1,and with respect to a second, relatively independent aspect by a skibinding with the characteristics given in claim 12.

[0010] Elastically flexible construction of the clamp that forms thefirst retaining element advantageously enables the front tip of the skiboot to be rotated out of the binding when the torsional force betweenski and boot is unacceptably high, and thus in an extremely simplemanner implements a safety aspect of the proposed ski binding that iscrucial for skiing downhill. The invention includes the fundamental ideaof designing the front retaining element as a clamp that is structurallysimple and simultaneously stable, enclosing the sole of the boot fromboth sides near the boot tip. It further includes the idea that tofacilitate an anatomically and physiologically advantageous sequence ofmovements while skiing, this retaining element is associated with anelastic pressing element, which presses the sole against the retainingclamp but because of its elastic characteristics can be pushed down bythe boot tip when the heel is raised while skiing.

[0011] In a design preferred from the viewpoint of manufacturingtechnology, the retaining element is constructed as a retaining clampmade of metal (in particular steel) or a highly stable plastic andhaving a substantially U-shaped cross section, such that the ends of thearms of the “U” are bent inward and form sections that engage the upperside of the boot sole in its front part. The base of this retainingclamp is next to the ski and is attached thereto, i.e. to a base plateof the ski binding. The pressing element is preferably constructed as anelastomer block which during use is situated under the sole of the skiboot and which preserves its elastic qualities even at low temperatures.The elastomer block is advantageously positioned ahead of or partiallywithin the retaining clamp. It can also have an upper surface that, inparticular towards the end of the ski, slants slightly downward and/orexhibits a slight spherical curvature in longitudinal section.

[0012] In another preferred embodiment an unlocking device is provided,attached to the tensioning device that connects the front and backretaining elements (or situated in the region of the front and/or backretaining element); in response to manual actuation—in particularpressure from above—this unlocking device releases the tension in thetensioning device and allows the ski boot to be removed from thebinding.

[0013] Owing to the provision of an actuating element that unlocks theabove-mentioned form-fitting locking mechanism in response to theapplication of force along an axis, the operation of this ski binding isconsiderably simplified in comparison to the known locking andtensioning devices of the top-dead-centre type. For the user, thisresults in an additional substantial advantage.

[0014] The tensioning device in a preferred embodiment comprises a flatconnecting part that can be elastically bent in a longitudinal sectionalplane of the ski binding. In particular, this part consists of aflexible plastic plate that connects the front and back retainingelements together, at least indirectly, and that provides asupplementary means (in addition to the elastic flexibility of theconnecting part itself) of allowing a degree of spring-loaded movementin the long direction of the ski. The flat connecting part runs alongthe side of the ski and in particular is guided by means of the sidewalls of a binding case attached to the ski, which enclose sections ofthe side edges of the connecting part, at least in the front region.

[0015] In the region of the front or back retaining element or alsobetween them is disposed a spring device to apply tension that keeps theback retaining element locked to the ski boot—in a further preferredembodiment, specifically to the front part of the boot sole. Inparticular, between the front and the back locking element is provided afront spring device, the force of which keeps the first locking elementin a position such that it engages the second locking element, whereasat the back retaining element there is a back spring device, the forceof which keeps the back retaining element in a position such that itengages the front part of the boot sole (or also the back edge of theheel).

[0016] The two spring devices cooperate when the binding is being lockedand unlocked, and the spring force exerted by the back device is greaterthan that of the front device. Hence when the engagement between thefirst and second locking elements is released, the tensioning devicealong with the back retaining element mounted thereon is pulled slightlybackward under the action of the back spring device and against the(weaker) action of the front spring device. As a result, the engagementthat locks the back retaining element to the corresponding section ofthe boot sole is broken (the “release” state) and the boot can bepivoted out of the binding. However, as soon as the boot has left thebinding, the back spring device is no longer under tension, whereuponthe front spring device can exert its action and guide the engagementelement back into the longitudinal position in which a renewedengagement with the second locking element becomes possible. The bindingis then again in the “step-in” state.

[0017] It is advantageous for a ski brake also to be integrated into theproposed ski binding, so that the binding is equipped with substantiallythe full set of properties for use of a downhill binding, and thus issuitable even for the case in which the ski becomes released duringdownhill skiing in telemark style. The ski brake is provided in theknown manner with an actuating section that is in direct contact withthe underside of the front part of the boot sole and is pressed againstthe latter under spring tension. When the ski boot is not (any longer)in the ski binding, this actuating section can spring freely upward, asa result of which the ski brake is activated.

[0018] In a particularly simple and reliably functioning embodiment thebrake is constructed as a resilient pivoted lever, which pivots about anaxis located in its middle region, and the front end of whichconstitutes the actuating section, whereas its back end is bifurcated toform “claws” that extend along the sides of the ski and represent theactual effective section of the ski brake. The actuating section isadvantageously inserted into an opening in the flat connecting part, inor near the median axis of the ski binding. In an especiallyadvantageous design, the brake is pivotably fixed to the base plate ofthe binding, and its front end (actuating section) extends beyond afront axle of the flat connecting part. There it is reliably fixed inplace by the front end of the ski boot even when the heel of the boot israised, and rotates into its active position only when the boot leavesthe binding.

[0019] So that the length changes associated with raising and loweringof the boot heel are compensated by flexion of the tensioning device—inparticular the flat connecting part—spring means are preferably providedat the back retaining element. In an especially advantageous design thisfunction is served by the above-mentioned back spring device, whichadditionally provides the spring tension that locks the back retainingelement into place.

[0020] There are further provided at the back retaining element—or in analternative construction also in the region of the front retainingelement—adjustment means to adjust the length of the binding; theseadvantageously comprise a sliding piece disposed in a longitudinal guidemeans, where it can be fixed in position (for example, with a lockingscrew).

[0021] The front spring device in a preferred construction consists of acoil spring compressible over a long distance, which abuts at one endagainst a binding mounting plate and is connected at the other end tothe (second) unlocking device, and serves as a compression-springelement. This compression-spring element applies tension that keeps thesecond locking element engaged with the first locking element. Thisengagement is released (as mentioned elsewhere) by applying pressurefrom above to the first locking element, so that the skier can step outof the binding.

[0022] At the first locking element is provided in particular arestoring torsion-spring element and/or a lever device with a pivotedlever, which can be rotated into a closed position—in particular bymeans of the torsion-spring element—and into the open position bypressing on a suitably disposed and shaped actuating section.

[0023] At least in the region of the front retaining element or thetensioning device, the flat connecting element is constructed as abearing plate for the front part of the boot sole, which advantageouslyhas a rough contour on its underside, to avoid impairment of itsfunction owing to an accumulation of snow. In the embodiment of theinvention in which a back retaining element engages the front part ofthe boot sole, behind that element there is additionally provided abearing element for the boot heel—which advantageously also has a roughsurface contour.

[0024] Other advantages and useful features of the invention will beapparent from the subordinate claims and from the following descriptionof preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures,wherein

[0025]FIG. 1 is a synoptic illustration of a ski binding according toone embodiment of the invention, shown as a combination of side view andlongitudinal section in a vertical plane, in which two differentpositions of the front part of the boot sole are diagrammed,

[0026]FIG. 2 is another illustration of the ski binding according toFIG. 1 in the form of a plan view combined with partial longitudinalsections in a plane parallel to the ski surface,

[0027]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main structural elements ofthe ski binding according to FIGS. 1 and 2 (without binding case),

[0028]FIG. 4 is a sketch of the same type as in FIG. 1, to make clearthe basic construction of a ski binding of the kind shown in FIGS. 1 to3 when modified by addition of a ski brake,

[0029]FIG. 5 is a sketch similar to that in FIG. 2 (plan view) of theski binding according to FIG. 4, and

[0030]FIGS. 6 and 7A-7C are sketches showing, in plan view, a slightmodification of the ski binding according to FIGS. 4 and 5, as well asthree side views with a ski boot in various positions.

[0031]FIGS. 1 and 2 show a ski binding 1 according to a first embodimentof the invention as it appears when installed on a ski (not shown)pointing leftwards (i.e., its tip should be imagined to the left of thedrawings and its back end to the right). FIG. 3 shows the essentialcomponents of the front part of the ski binding 1 again, in athree-dimensional representation. In FIG. 1 the continuous line at thebottom indicates the upper surface 3 of the ski, and the lower part ofthe front of a ski boot 5 is shown in two positions: when the boot iscompletely lowered and when its heel is slightly raised. The boot 5 hasa front sole 7 with a projecting circumferential edge 7 a and a backedge 7 b, which is engaged by major functional elements of the skibinding 1 (further details below).

[0032] The ski binding 1 comprises as its main functional units amounting plate 9, a front retaining element 11 with associated elasticpressing element 13, a back retaining mechanism 15, a flexible plasticplate 17 that connects the front retaining element 11 to the backretaining mechanism 15, and an unlocking device 19 disposed ahead of thefront retaining element.

[0033] The front retaining element 11 is constructed as a resilientsteel retaining clamp with a substantially U-shaped cross section, suchthat the limbs of the “U” comprise inwardly bent edges 11 a by means ofwhich the retaining clamp 11 grips the edge 7 a of the boot sole 7 onboth sides. As can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the retaining clamp 11is somewhat broadened towards the back, to adapt it to the shape of thefront sole of the boot. Because it is made of a resilient material, whenan unacceptably large torsional force is applied between boot and ski,it can expand elastically so as to allow the front sole part 7 to rotateout of the retaining clamp 11, so that the ski boot 5 is released fromthe binding 1 and thus from the ski.

[0034] The elastic pressing element 13, which in the embodiment shownhere is disposed immediately ahead of the retaining clamp 11 and isdesigned as a massive elastomer block, the upper surface of which isslightly convex and slants slightly downward towards the back, is indirect contact with the lower surface of the front sole part 7, so thatit presses the upper surface of the sole edge 7 a against the lowersurface of the inwardly directed clamp edges 11 a and thus generates africtional resistance that counteracts rotation of the boot 5 about anaxis perpendicular to the ski surface. The effect thereby achieved isthat rotation of the ski boot is possible only when relatively largelateral forces are imposed, and the boot 5 can rotate out of the bindingonly when the lateral forces are dangerously high. The elastomer block13 thus ensures reasonable guidance properties of the binding whilesimultaneously fulfilling a safety-release function. Furthermore, theelastomer block 13 opposes raising of the heel of the ski boot 5 byapplying an elastic resistance to the tip of the sole 7, and therestoring force so generated is biodynamically desirable when suchraising occurs.

[0035] The back retaining mechanism 15 will be described here only inrough outline, as it is not one of the central features of theinvention. It comprises a spring-loaded pivoted lever 21, which engagesthe back end 7 b of the sole by way of a pair of rollers 23. By making apivoting movement, the lever 21 (which in FIG. 11 is shown in tworotational positions) follows the movement caused by raising the heel ofthe boot 5 to a certain degree without causing the pair of rollers 23 tobe come disengaged from the back sole end 7 b. A back spring device 25,which is embedded in a retaining-device housing 27, pulls the backretaining element 21 against the back sole end 7 b. An adjustment screw29 is used to adjust the back retaining mechanism 15.

[0036] The unlocking device 19 used to open the binding hassubstantially two components: a pivoted lever under torsional-springloading as first locking element 31, and a sliding piece 33 undercompression-spring loading as second locking element. The two parts 31,33 are both approximately U-shaped in cross section and each has at itsfront end a tilted edge 31 a, 33 a to serve as a catch section forengagement with its counterpart.

[0037] The pivoted lever 31, which constitutes the first lockingelement, can be rotated about an axle 35 mounted in a U-shaped holder37. A coil spring 39 is wound around the axle 35 and acts as a torsionspring, exerting a force to keep the lever 31 engaged with the slidingpiece 33. When pressure is applied from above with a ski pole 41(indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 1), which can be inserted through aguide opening 43 in a front binding case 45, the pivoted lever 31 can berotated clockwise far enough that its tilted edge 31 a becomesdisengaged from the tilted edge 33 a of the sliding piece 33.

[0038] The second locking element (sliding piece) 33 comprises, inaddition to the above-mentioned first, upwardly directed edge 33 a, asecond tilted edge 33 b that points downward and projects into a frontspring device (coil spring) 47. The force exerted by the spring 47pushes the sliding piece 33 forward, into a position where it engagesthe pivoted lever 31. The sliding piece 33 passes through the elastomerblock 13, in which two slots (not labeled separately) are provided forthis purpose, and at its end the retaining clamp 11 is connected to theplastic plate 17, by way of an axle 49 for both fixation and rotation.The plate is flexurally elastic but not extensible, with the net resultthat a high-tensile-strength connection is formed between the front endof the sliding piece 33 (the tilted edge 33 a) and the back retainingmechanism 15. As long as the pivoted lever 31 and the sliding piece 33are locked together, an elasticity of the binding in the long directionfor the purpose of flexion compensation is implemented exclusively bythe torsion-spring loading of the back retaining element 21.

[0039] However, when a ski pole 41 is used to apply pressure from aboveon the pivoted lever 31 as previously described, so that the leverbecomes disengaged from the sliding piece 33, then the back springdevice 25 pushes the back retaining mechanism 15 as a whole (and with itthe plastic plate 17 and the sliding piece 33) backwards until theengagement with the back sole end 7 b of the boot 5 is released and theskier can step out of the binding. After this has occurred, the frontspring device 47 can press the sliding piece 33 forward again, and withit (by way of the fixation axle 49) the plastic plate 17, so that theengagement with the lever 31 is restored and the binding is ready for aboot to be re-inserted.

[0040] The schematic sectional drawings in FIGS. 4 and 5 show a skibinding 1 that has basically the same construction as shown in FIGS. 1to 3 but has been modified by the additional provision of a ski brake50′. The other parts of the binding 1′ shown here are identified by thesame reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0041] The ski brake 50′ resembles the first locking element 31 in thatit is constructed as a spring-loaded pivoted lever with an axle 51′ inthe middle region, around which is disposed a torsion spring 53′. Theaxle 51′ is formed by a middle section of the pivoted lever 50′ that isoriented transverse to the ski axis; towards the tip of the ski thelever ends in a front section 551 consisting of a single part, andtowards the back end of the ski it bifurcates to form two branches 57a′, 57 b′, disposed so that one is on each side of the ski. To each ofthese branches is fixed a plastic pad 59′ to expand the surface of thebranch 57 a′, 57 b′ and increase its resistance in the snow.

[0042] The front section 55′ projects into the plastic plate 17′ withina slot-like opening 17 a′. When no ski boot is placed on the plate, theforce of the torsion spring 53′ raises the front section 55′ so that itslants upward from the ski, which activates the ski brake 50′. However,if a boot is in the binding, the underside of its sole presses the frontsection 55′ downward and hence raises the side branches 57 a′, 57 b′, sothat they are pulled up beyond the running surface of the ski and theski brake is inactive.

[0043]FIGS. 6 and 7A to 7C show a ski binding 1″ modified from thepreceding design, in which most parts correspond to those in the designaccording to FIGS. 4 and 5; these parts are identified by the samereference numerals as in those drawings.

[0044] This ski binding 1″ has a ski brake 50″ in the form of thespring-loaded pivoted lever already shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, but here thebrake is disposed in a mounting plate 9″ on the upper surface 3 of theski.

[0045] The pivoted lever 50″ in this case is bent at an angle in theregion of the axle 51″ and its front section 55″ is so long that itextends beyond the fixation and rotation axle 49 of the flexible plasticplate 17″. The longitudinal slot 17 a″ in the latter is correspondinglyelongated. The front end of the front section 55″ is curved slightlydownward in a somewhat hook-like shape, to adjust it to thecross-sectional configuration of the fixation and rotation axle 49.

[0046]FIGS. 7A to 7C show the position of the ski binding 50″ when theski boot 5 is in various positions within the binding 1″. It is evidentthat when the boot 5 is resting flat on the ski or the mounting plate 9″(FIG. 7A), just as when the heel of the boot is raised, the front end ofthe front section 55″ of the ski brake 50″ is clamped between theunderside of the front sole 7 and the fixation and rotation axle 49, asa result of which the ski brake is kept in its inactive position, withits lateral branches 57 a′, 57 b′ oriented parallel to the upper surfaceof the ski. Only after the boot 5 has left the binding 1″ (FIG. 7C) isthe front section 55″ released and the whole ski brake 50″ rotated aboutits axle 51″ under the action of the torsion spring 53′. The result isthat the ski brake is put into the active position shown in the drawing,in which the lateral branches 57 a′, 57 b′ are at an acute angle to theplane of the ski and the plastic pads 59′ brake the ski.

[0047] The implementation of the invention is not restricted to theexamples described above but is also possible in a large number offurther modifications, which are within the scope of a person skilled inthe art.

List of Reference Numerals

[0048]1; 1′; 1″ Ski binding

[0049]3 Upper surface of ski

[0050]5 Ski boot

[0051]7 Front part of sole

[0052]7 a Edge of sole

[0053]7 b Back end of sole

[0054]9; 9″ Mounting plate

[0055]11 Front retaining element (retaining clamp)

[0056]11 a Tilted edge

[0057]13 Elastic pressing element (elastomer block)

[0058]15 Back retaining mechanism

[0059]17; 17′; 17″ Flexible plastic plate

[0060]17 a′; 17 a″ Longitudinal slot

[0061]19 Unlocking device

[0062]21 Back retaining element (pivoted lever)

[0063]23 Pair of rollers

[0064]25 Back spring device

[0065]27 Housing for retaining mechanism

[0066]29 Adjustment screw

[0067]31 First locking element (pivoted lever)

[0068]31 a Tilted edge

[0069]33 Second locking element (sliding piece)

[0070]33 a; 33 b Tilted edge

[0071]35 Axle

[0072]37 Holder

[0073]39 Coil spring (torsion spring)

[0074]41 Ski pole

[0075]43 Guide opening

[0076]45 Front binding case

[0077]47 Front spring device (coil spring)

[0078]49 Fixation and rotation axle

[0079]50′; 50″ Ski brake (pivoted lever)

[0080]51′; 51″ Axle

[0081]53′ Torsion spring

[0082]55′; 55″ Front section

[0083]57 a′; 57 b′ Lateral branches

[0084]59′ Plastic pad

1. Ski binding (1; 1′; 1″), in particular touring, telemark orcross-country binding, with a front retaining element associated withthe front sole end (7 a) of a ski boot (5), a back retaining element(21) so constructed that it engages an edge (7 b) at the front part ofthe boot sole or at the heel of the boot, and a tensioning device (17;25; 47; 17′; 17″) that connects the front and back retaining elements toone another, and that allows the front and back retaining elements to belocked to the ski boot and, in particular in the locked state, allowsthe heel of the boot to be raised away from the ski, characterized inthat the front retaining element grips the sole of the ski boot on bothsides near the tip of the boot, in particular with lateral resilience,and with the front retaining element there is associated an elasticelement (13) against the action of which the front end of the sole canbe moved Downwards while the boot heel is simultaneously raised.
 2. Skibinding according to claim 1 characterized in that the retaining element(11) is constructed as a retaining clamp having a substantially U-shapedcross section, attached to the ski by way of its base and made inparticular of resilient metal or highly stable plastic, with the ends(11 a) of the limbs of the “U” bent inwards, and the elastic element(13) is so constructed that when the binding is in use it is situatedunder the sole of the ski boot, in and/or in front of the retainingclamp.
 3. Ski binding according to claim 1, characterized in that thetensioning device is associated with at least one spring-loadedunlocking device (19) to release the engagement between ski binding (1;1′; 1″) and ski boot (5) as a result of a force manually imposed on afirst locking element (31) that has a substantially form-fitting action.4. Ski binding according to claim 1, characterized in that thetensioning device comprises a flat connecting part (17; 17′; 17″) thatcan be elastically bent in a longitudinal plane of the ski binding, foran at least indirect connection of the front retaining element (11) tothe back retaining element (21) that is made rotationally stable byspring elasticity.
 5. Ski binding according to claim 4, characterized inthat the flat connecting part (17; 17′; 17″) is guided laterally withrespect to the ski, in particular by way of side walls of a binding case(45) fixed to the ski, which extend around the side edges of theconnecting part.
 6. Ski binding according to claim 1, characterized inthat in the region of the front retaining element (11) there is provideda second locking element (33) that cooperates with the first lockingelement (31), as well as a front spring device (47) that applies tensionto keep the first locking element engaged with the second lockingelement, and at the back retaining element (21) is disposed a backspring device (25) that cooperates with the front spring device in orderto apply tension to keep the back retaining element engaged with thefront sole (7) of the boot or with the heel, wherein the spring force ofthe back spring device is greater than that of the front spring device.7. Ski binding according to claim 1, characterized in that the backretaining element (21) is attached to the tensioning device so that itcan be rotated about an axle (49) oriented substantially parallel to theupper surface of the ski (3) and perpendicular to the ski's long axis.8. Ski binding according to claim 7, characterized in that the axle (49)is disposed in the region of the front retaining element (11), inparticular in the region below the front sole (7) of the ski boot. 9.Ski binding according to claim 1, characterized in that the backretaining element (21) is so constructed that it can be actuated by aprojection (7 b) on the front sole (7) of the ski boot or the back edgeof the heel, when the boot (5) is set onto the binding.
 10. Ski bindingaccording to claims 6, characterized in that the back retaining element(21) is connected to the back spring device (25) in a lever-like manner,so that when the ski boot (5) is set into the binding, the retainingelement is actuated to lock behind the projection (7 b) on the frontsole (7) of the boot, against the spring tension generated by the backspring device.
 11. Ski binding according to claim 6, characterized inthat at the back retaining element (21) spring means (25) are providedfor flexion compensation, which are formed in particular by the backspring device.
 12. Ski binding (1; 1′; 1″), in particular touring,telemark or cross-country binding, with a front retaining elementassociated with the front sole end (7 a) of a ski boot (5), a backretaining element (21) so constructed that it engages an edge (7 b) atthe front part of the boot sole or at the heel of the boot, and atensioning device (17; 25; 47; 17′; 17″) that connects the front andback retaining elements to one another, and that allows the front andback retaining elements to be locked to the ski boot and, in particularin the locked state, allows the heel of the boot to be raised away fromthe ski, in particular according to one of the preceding claims,characterized by a ski brake (50′; 50″) disposed between the uppersurface (3) of the ski and the tensioning device, in particular the flatconnecting part (17; 17′; 17″), such that when the binding is in use, anactuating section (55′; 55″) of the ski brake is in direct contact withthe underside of the front end of the sole (7) of the ski boot (5) withthe result that when the front end (7 a) is fixed in the front retainingelement, the ski brake is inactive, and it is activated when the frontend is removed from the front retaining element (11).
 13. Ski bindingaccording to claim 12, characterized in that the ski brake isconstructed as a pivoted lever (50′; 50″) with a spring action, whichhas a front section (55) that makes contact with the sole (7) of the skiboot (5) by way of an opening (17 a′; 17 a″) in the flat connecting partwhen the binding is in use, a middle region comprising an axle (51′;51″), and a back region, behind the axle, that is U-shaped (57 a′; 57b′) so as to enclose the sides of the ski.
 14. Ski binding according toclaim 12, characterized in that the ski brake (50″) is fixed to amounting plate (9″) on the ski binding (1″) and its actuating section(50″) is disposed at the front end of the flat connecting part (17″) byway of an axle (49), in such a way that when the heel of the ski boot(5) is raised, the ski brake remains in its resting position on the skianal its actuating section is still fixed between the underside of thefront end of the sole (7) and the upper surface of the flat connectingpart (17″).
 15. Ski binding according to claim 6, characterized in thatthe front spring device (47) comprises a compression spring, inparticular a steel coil spring, which at one end abuts against a bindingmounting plate (9;9″) and with the other end applies a forwardlydirected force to the second locking element (33), thus keeping it inthe position where it is engaged with the first locking element (3 1).16. Ski binding according to claim 6, characterized in that the firstlocking element (3 1) is constructed as a pivoted lever that can berotated under manual actuation about an axle oriented horizontally andperpendicular to the long axis of the ski, against the force exerted bya torsion spring (39) that is coaxial. with the said axle.
 17. Skibinding according to claim 6, characterized in that the second lockingelement (33) is constructed as a sliding piece pivotably connected atits back end to the front end of the flat connecting piece (17;17′; 17″)by way of an axle (49), whereas its front end engages the first lockingelement (31) while at rest as well as when the ski binding is in use,but not during manual actuation to achieve release.
 18. Ski bindingaccording to claim 1, characterized in that at the back retainingelement (21) adjustment means (29) are provided with which to adjust thelength of the ski binding, in particular with a sliding 5 piece that canbe fixed in position in a longitudinal guide